Vettori ruled out of Jamaica Test

New Zealand have suffered a major blow ahead of the second Test against West Indies in Jamaica after Daniel Vettori was ruled out with groin strain.

Vettori did not have a significant impact on the opening match in Antigua, taking 1 for 124 in 51 overs as New Zealand lost by nine wickets, but he remains a key part of their Test attack. His absence creates the possibility of a debut for Tarun Nethula, the 29-year-old legspinner, at Sabina Park but with a first-class batting average of 15.54 he will not bring the all-round strengths provided by Vettori.

"Dan had some discomfort while in the field on day three of the first Test match with assessment confirming an adductor injury," Paul Close, the New Zealand physiotherapist, said. "It was managed during the match but further assessment has indicated he will not be fully fit in time for the next Test.

"Dan will return to New Zealand where here will be monitored closely and undergo a period of rehabilitation. He will require a rest from bowling and his return date will be determined by how well he responds to the treatment."

Vettori became New Zealand's most capped Test cricketer during the opening match of the series when he over took Stephen Fleming with 112 appearances. The injury could put him in doubt for the Test series against India which begins on August 23 in Hyderabad.

"It's a huge loss, not just the performance on the field which he's done for a number of years consistently and really led us from that point of view, but also what he offers in the change-room and when we're out on the field," the New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum said. "You know you've got that experience to call on for some of the younger bowlers.

"Even the batters within the group as well, he's had a phenomenal career and we hope he rests up and gets himself recuperated and comes back in a couple of months' time for us and we're able to get him back into a team that's performing a bit better than we have of late."

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